A group of Chicago ZSers recently stepped away from their work on a Friday afternoon not for a personal day, but instead for an interpersonal day centered on service and community-building. The volunteers split up into four groups, interacting with a variety of nonprofit organizations for the day.

The first group went to the Anti-Cruelty Society, where ZSers built toys for dogs and cats in need. They spent the rest of the afternoon playing with the animals, and watching the cats and dogs interact with the new—and highly appreciated—collection of toys. ZSers embraced the “puppy love” with open arms and showed the animals well-deserved attention and affection.

The second group of volunteers ventured out to the site of a Chicago-based financial literacy program, Climb to Safety. The program is designed to help first- through eighth-graders build an economic education that is foundational for realizing future financial goals. The program educates Chicago’s youth in unconventional and interactive ways, so ZSers worked together to design and build a Jeopardy-style game, creating a fun a platform for young students to begin their journey in financial literacy through friendly competition.

The third wave of volunteers made its way to Cradles to Crayons’ “Giving Factory.” The nonprofit serves homeless and low-income youth in the Chicagoland area, giving them the essentials they need to grow and thrive. The group sorted through donated items—mostly clothing—to be distributed to local disadvantaged children. ZSers also wrote notes of encouragement to be placed in donated backpacks.

The final group of ZSers volunteered at The Night Ministry, a Chicago-based organization that provides housing, health care and human connection to members of the Chicago community struggling with poverty. The group assembled donated items, such as toiletries, underwear and socks to be distributed to their Chicago neighbors.

ZS Cares, our firm-wide corporate social responsibility initiative, thanks Chicago ZSers for their donation of supplies and money, and most of all, their time to these worthy, local causes.